IRON MOUNTAIN – To help give back to the community that continues to support Dickinson County Healthcare System, the Dickinson Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, in partnership with hearing aid manufacturer, ReSound, awarded one deserving individual with the gift of hearing.

The goal of this donation was to reward an individual who had a demonstrated history of working hard to improve the lives of others. The ideal applicant needed to have a strong record of community service.

The winning recipient would receive a set of hearing aids valued at up to $4,595, and the hearing evaluation and all follow-up care would also be provided free of charge. The application process ran from mid-November through mid-December with selection made by committee just before the holidays.

Joyce Erickson of Iron Mountain, who has been hearing challenged for the past six years and was nominated by her husband, John, was selected. Erickson has been active in the Dickinson County community ever since she moved here in 1991. Her husband’s nomination outlined her many contributions.

“She is a member of Trinity United Methodist church where she has taught Sunday School, led Junior Worship, sang in the choir, served as president of UMW, and helped on numerous committees. She is currently leader of the First Wednesday Community meal, a lay speaker, a member of the Joycrafters, active with the Mini Fair, and leader of the Ruth Circle. As part of the community meal program, she has been active in Feed America and recently helped in their fall food distribution to the needy in Dickinson County.”

“Exemplifying her involvement with kids, Joyce was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scout Troop 510 and chaired their food booth (a major fund- raiser) for several years. She was a Girl Scout leader. After our children went off to college, she decided to lead a 4-H club and even started a new club. She volunteered at 4-H camp for several years and is still active there. While leading her 4-H club, she started teaching the 4-Hers how to knit and has maintained this activity by helping teach young knitters in Norway.”

“Joyce was the past president, vice-president, secretary and bingo food booth chairperson of the Iron Mountain Elks Lodge700 Lady Elks Club. She is an active and faithful member of Tops MI 0277. She is a member of the Iron Mountain Quilt Guild where she is active in their May 2015 Quilt Show by inviting vendors to participate in the show and by displaying her own quilts. In conjunction with the guild, she is currently working on a quilt for Habitat for Humanity.”

“Due to her hearing impairment, she has been forced to cut back or stop altogether several activities with both the young and the older residents of this county. To lose such a vital, active and intelligent volunteer would be a loss to our community.”

” A big thanks to Joyce for her commitment to community service and to her husband, John, for his wonderful and thoughtful nomination,” a spokesperson said.